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APRIL 2016 AviationPros.com 17 INTERNATIONAL The standard can help an organisation put in place the policies, procedures and controls needed to achieve the good working condi- tions, aligned to internationally recognised best practices, according to BSI. Developments in health and safety on the ramp in Russia has been achieved, frst and foremost, by means of regulation. Russian federal laws require that efforts be com- mitted by service providers in order to be proactive with regard to employees' health. For example, tests on hearing impairment and random tests on the use of psychoac- tive substances. Marinov says overall health condition monitoring is mandatory before the beginning of employment, and this includes visits to a psychiatrist and a nar- cologist for certain categories of employees; then health conditions are checked every one-to-two years. Tests on alcohol/drugs consumption are conducted for specifc categories of employees – such as drivers, equipment operators and the likes – both before the shift starts and after the shift is completed; these are performed on a per- manent basis for all the staff concerned, says Marinov. Health and safety on the ramp is also achieved by training and making employees aware of the maintenance of suitable pos- tures while at work. Russian regulations require that applicable working instruc- tions be read and signed by employees at the start of employment; they must also further read and sign instructions, and any updates thereof, every three-to-six months. Signatures of employees are to be kept on fle for a 10 year period. In case of incidents these documents may be requested by state prosecutors or other authorised bodies, Marinov says. Line operations management is important to ensure that ramp attendants don't take short-cuts or lift weights improperly, doing damage their health in the long run. Mari- nov says norms like the maximum weight that may be lifted are stipulated by the law and that immediate managers with respon- sibility for staff are to monitor adherence on a daily basis; consistency in oversight function of line managers is reinforced by the fact that they are the frst ones to whom investigating bodies turn to in case of occur- rences, he says.